Next story:

McDonald’s to move across Main Street

BANGOR, Maine — The owner of several Bangor-area McDonald’s restaurant franchises has filed a site development plan with the city to build a new location on Main Street, adjacent to the former Miller’s Restaurant.

The plans, filed recently with the city’s code enforcement office, call for construction of a 3,800-square-foot building at the corner of Larkin Street.

Gary Eckmann, who owns the Main Street McDonald’s and seven others in Bangor, Brewer, Dover-Foxcroft and Millinocket, said if the plans are approved, he plans to move forward with construction later this spring.

“Depending on how things fall into line, we would get this done as quick as possible and perhaps be ready to reopen in July,” he said Monday.

The existing Main Street McDonald’s — almost across the street from the proposed new site — was built in 1996 but has become too small and does not have adequate parking, Eckmann said. But Main Street always has been a profitable location and he hopes the new location will improve upon that.

“All along we’ve been trying to identify a feasible new site along Main Street,” Eckmann said.

McDonald’s plans to enter into a long-term lease with the Miller family, which owns the property that housed the former Miller’s Restaurant and the temporary Hollywood Slots facility.

As for the current McDonald’s on Main Street, Eckmann said it and the land it is on are owned by McDonald’s Corp., which is expected to sell the space as soon as the new restaurant opens.

The city’s planning board is expected to vote on the site plan in early March.